Arctic sea ice could vanish within 10 years as it is melting much faster than previously believed, thanks to global warming, warn scientists, claiming that the process is 50 percent faster than the current estimates.
New satellites being operated by the European Space Agency paint a grim picture of 900 cubic km of ice already having melted over the last year.
This is 50 percent higher than the current estimates from environmentalists, they claim. It is suggested that the increase is down to global warming and rising greenhouse gas emissions, the Daily Mail reports.
The entire region could be eventually free of ice if the estimates prove accurate. This would trigger a ‘gold rush’ for oil reserves and fish stocks in the region.
“Preliminary analysis of our data indicates that the rate of loss of sea ice volume in summer in the Arctic may be far larger than we had previously suspected,” said Seymour Laxon, of the Centre for Polar Observation and Modelling at University College London (UCL), where CryoSat-2 data is being analysed.
Scientists launched the CryoSat-2 probe in 2010 specifically to study ice thickness. Until then most studies had focused on the coverage of the ice. Submarines were also sent into the water to analyse the ice. The methods are said to have given a picture of changes in the ice around the North Pole since 2004.
Data from the exploration shows that in winter 2004, the volume of sea ice in the central Arctic was approximately 17,000 cubic km. This winter it was 14,000 km, according to CryoSat.
Chris Rapley, professor at UCL added: “Before CryoSat, we could see summer ice coverage was dropping markedly in the Arctic. But we only had glimpses of what was happening to ice thickness. Obviously if it was dropping as well, the loss of summer ice was even more significant.”
Whenever I read anything related to global warming or environmental degradation, I start thinking of ways to combat this as an individual by making a very small difference atleast. I am willing to admit that many people feel the same way but can be better motivated/guided to act on it if they are aware of the ways in which they could make such a difference. Curriculum in schools and colleges can start teaching students on these lines, for example, how much energy can be conserved by replacing all light bulbs with CFLs, how to use public transport whenever feasible and the effect it has on the environment etc. These will make few individuals contribute in small measures which will make a positive impact on the environment gradually, I hope.
After reading this article i wished to comment on it but as soon as i
saw that there is no comment I got disappointed that people are not
sensitive to environmental degradation, which i think the most
dangerous problem than anything else.It's really very unfortunate that
we have become so greedy that we have forgotten our duty to save
environment which is very essential for our existence.We are very
thankful to media persons that they raise this issue time and time
again but our government and concerned NGO's are reluctant to
successfully deal with this problem.One suggestion I would like to make
here that while discussing about environmental problems we should
always relate that problem to our daily life,for example when we
deliver a lecture before the students we should make him sit in a class
where there is no AC, Fan, etc. then teach them that this high
temperature is the consequence of our ignorance to environment.This's
how we can creat a culture of protest to protect environment
Looking at Arctic ice, mammoth glaciers and endless miles of snow capped mountains, as my wife and I had the opportunity recently when we went on a week long Alaskan cruise, is an experience of a life time. Words cannot adequately describe it. It would be not only our callous neglect to lose this invaluable treasure, but as is well known, but largely ignored, an invitation to our own calamity.
So we are almost there in the end..... Politicians and corrupt people never wakeup, they still continue to loot without knowing we are already in the end.
No one can prevent this disaster which coming soon.the scientists are already declare that 2012 is a dangerous year may be but we have to appear mentally for any disaster because the nature must take revenge..
The article tries to most respectfully cover (read Gold Rush) the wanton and rapacious loot and plunder of resources that this region is likely to witness. greed knows no limits!
Please try to reduce the carbon dioxide pollution
There seems to be no solution with scientist rather threatening people with vanishing
ice glaciers and expressing greed over the oil and gold. Wondering who benefits by
this good news (Thanking the global warming).
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